OLYMPIA, Wash. — USDA NASS released a Northwest Region Crop Progress & Condition report for the week ending April 14, 2024.
Idaho Began to Warm Up
There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Idaho, up from 2.7 days suitable the previous week. Idaho experienced warm temperatures accompanied by light rain for the week. Northern Idaho reported warm temperatures over the weekend. Elmore and Owyhee Counties reported snow in higher elevations created difficulties for ranchers moving livestock to spring and summer allotments. Jerome and Twin Falls Counties reported that field progress was slowed due to wet weather from the previous weekend. However, field activities picked up, and farmers began to plant spring cereals, potatoes, and sugarbeets in the ground. Moisture and warming weather improved range and pasture conditions. Clark, Fremont, and Madison Counties reported the southern part of the area began working in the fields toward the end of the week. However, there was no fieldwork north of Fall River. Bannock, Bingham, and Butte Counties reported warming conditions with soil preparation beginning for fieldwork. Planting was delayed due to light rain.
Oregon Welcomed Warm Weather and Rain
There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Oregon, up from 4.4 days suitable the previous week. Columbia,
Multnomah, and Washington Counties reported favorable weather conditions, ideal for continued crop protection and fertilizing. Malheur County reported an uptick in field activity made possible by dryer conditions compared to the prior week. The emergence of onions was observed, and most onions had been planted along with potatoes. Sugarbeet planting was in full swing, and many operations began planting corn. Grass and pastureland benefitted from the warm weather supplemented by periodic precipitation. Livestock producers were branding and turning cattle out to pasture. Some cropland was flooded along the lower Owyhee River due to the increased releases from the Owyhee Dam. Lake County received snowfall in many areas, which led to cooler daytime temperatures. These cooler temperatures hindered growth in pasture and range lands.
Warmer Weather for Washington
There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 5.1 days suitable the previous week. Western Washington saw a little precipitation. Crops were progressing a bit ahead of schedule. In Whatcom County, blueberries were budding, and raspberries were filling out. Fieldwork started, and grass showed good growth. The Yakima Valley experienced overnight temperatures below freezing, and daytime temperatures warmed over the weekend. Pear and sweet cherry trees in the upper valley were in full bloom, and apple trees began blooming. The lower valley had pears, plums, and cherries in various stages of petal fall. Apple varieties were mostly in bloom in this area. Some orchards were grafting over to new varieties. Asparagus harvest continued. Most vegetable fields had been worked up, with some producers preparing fields with black plastic and irrigation. Field crews were observed laying down irrigation for hop yards and burning back hop bines in other yards to extend or delay the hop harvest. Pend Oreille and Spokane Counties observed some fieldwork, although only a little was planted to crops for the week. Spraying began on winter wheat. Calving was wrapping up, and ranchers were considering spring turnout. Winter wheat needed more rain to improve crop conditions in Adams County.
— USDA NASS